Personally, I’m torn between being excited that funding for the park is in place and construction should begin by the Spring of next year, and sharing some of the concerns others have expressed with the park. While I wouldn’t go as far as Hawthorne who says the park has no identity or some of the readers at Curbed who believe it’s just going to be a glorified dog park that’s taken over by the homeless. Our downtown desperately needs green space, and personally this is something for which I can’t wait.

So what do you think Streetsbloggers? What’s right or wrong with the plan for Civic Center Park, and what changes would you make if you could?

As a “civic space” it fails. It is a poor fit for large public performances taking place at the footsteps to (what used to be) the entrance to City Hall. The park is chunked up into pieces that make it … well it isn’t a contiguous park at all really. It is also a crappy spot design due to a lack of amenities (like bathrooms and places to sit).

As a “park” it fails as well, with the exception of the lawn behind City Hall between Spring St. and Broadway. Who would be able to walk through this park to get to City Hall or the courts instead of walking up 1st St. or Temple? Few people would, as the path would be visually baffled by planter arrangements, a large fountain, and crazy steps (made for tripping people up it looks like).

As for homelessness … sigh.

Spokker

“fund the building of a park without adequately addressing the horrible and worsening homelessness problem. hmmmm…”

Word On The Street

“...currently in Metro rail's budget 25% of that goes to security of the system. Not towards more service but security of the system. I wouldn't be so harsh and cynical about this had the Sheriff's been more visible at all Metro stations...”